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State Sponsoring Contest For Illinois Filmmakers

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CBS) — Budding Illinois filmmakers have a chance to gain a wide audience and win money through a state-sponsored film contest.

As WBBM Newsradio’s Alex Degman reports, the contest is called the Shortcuts competition, as entrants are asked to submit films 15 minutes in length or less. Betsy Steinberg, Managing Director of the Illinois Film Office, says they can be about anything.

“Don’t worry about what others might think of your film, or that it may not be professional enough. We welcome all entries,” she says. “And the winners have often… they’re not always professional filmmakers.”

It will cost $25 to enter a film, the deadline to do so is Aug. 31. Steinberg says the cash prize depends on how many people enter – the more who enter, the larger the prize. The winner’s film will also be screened at the Chicago International Film Festival.